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Difference between Cop and US Marshal

Key difference: A cop is a government official, who looks after the law enforcement in a specific city, municipality, town or village. The Marshals are government officials, who enforce law throughout the nation.

The term ‘Marshal’ used in several official titles in various branches of the society. Lately, it has been used for elevated offices, such as in military rank and civilian law enforcement.

In many countries, the rank of marshal is the highest army rank, outranking the other general officers. In United States, the Marshal Service is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. The office of U.S. Marshal is the oldest American federal law enforcement office. It was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. It assumed its existing name in 1969. Although, it is considered second to the U.S. Customs Service, as the custom service is the oldest federal agency.

The Marshals Service is part of the executive branch of the government. It is the enforcement arm of the U.S. federal courts. The U.S. Marshals are responsible for the protection of officers of the court, court buildings and the effective operation of the judiciary. The service also includes assistance with court security and prisoner transport, serves arrest warrants, and seeks fugitives.

According to Wikipedia, The Marshals are responsible for capturing wanted fugitives, providing protection for the federal judiciary, protecting endangered federal witnesses, and managing assets seized from criminal enterprises. They also execute the lawful writs, processes, and orders issued under the authority of the United States. If necessary, they may command and provide the required assistance to execute the duties.

U.S. Marshals also may have the common law-based power to enlist any willing civilians as deputies. They cannot use troops for law enforcement duties while in uniform representing their unit, or the military service. However, if a serviceman or woman is off duty, wearing civilian clothing, and is willing to assist a law enforcement officer in their own behalf, it may be acceptable. Also, the government authorizes the United States marshals, deputy marshals and other such officials designated by the Director, in executing the laws of the United States within a State. It simply means that the marshals are required to exercise the same powers, which a sheriff may exercise in executing the laws. The U.S. Marshals are also responsible for carrying out evictions within the District of Columbia.

The police force first originated in 1700s to enforce law and policy for the people. One of the first truly organized police forces was the Metropolitan Police of London, after which many regional police forces are modeled.

Police Officers, in general, are referred to as ‘Cops’. They are warranted employees of the police force. In the United States, "officer" is the formal name of the lowest police rank.

According to Wikipedia, the general duty of a police officer is to capture the criminals, prevent and detect crime, and maintain public order. Police officers are usually sworn to an oath. They have the power to arrest people and detain them for a limited time, along with other responsibilities. Some police officers are also trained in special duties, such as counter-terrorism, surveillance, child protection, VIP protection, and investigation techniques into major crime, including fraud, rape, murder and drug trafficking.

Police officers have a limited local jurisdiction, usually within the boundaries of a city or town. Their responsibilities vary and differ from political context to another. Within their jurisdiction, the typical duties of the police is keeping the peace, public safety, citing and arresting people, and the investigation of crimes. They also perform a variety of public services including safety education and security within city limits. Officers are expected to respond to a variety of situations that may arise while they are on duty. There are guidelines, which help an officer on how they should behave in their community. Police officers in nearly all countries retain their lawful powers, even off duty.

Comparison between Cop and US Marshal:

Cop

Marshall

Definition

A cop is a government official, who enforces the law over a city, municipality, town or village.

The Marshals are government officials, who enforce law throughout the nation.

Election

He is a government official.

He is a government official.

Authorization

He has authority over specified area of the country.

They have authority over the entire nation.

Characteristics

The general duty of a police officer is to capture the criminals, prevent and detect crime and maintain public order.

They are sworn to oath.

They have special duties such as counter-terrorism, surveillance, child protection, VIP protection, and investigation techniques into major crime, including fraud, rape, murder and drug trafficking.

Their responsibilities vary and differ from political context to another.

They also perform a variety of public services including safety education and security within city limits.

There are rules and guidelines, which dictate how an officer should behave within the community.

Some may exercise power off duty.

The rank of marshal is the highest army rank.

They are a U.S. federal law enforcement agency.

They are part of the executive branch of government.

They are responsible for the protection of officers of the court, court buildings and the effective operation of the judiciary.

They execute the lawful writs, processes, and orders issued under the authority of the United States.